Girmay knows what he wants in 2025, but also what he can't do: "That question is not necessary"

Cycling
Saturday, 18 January 2025 at 15:00
biniam girmay

Time for an interview with Biniam Girmay on a rainy Friday afternoon in Albir, Spain. The Intermarché-Wanty leader sits in his chair, looks around at the journalists, and waits for the first question, "How are things with Biniam Girmay at the moment? The winner of the most recent green jersey smiles. 'I feel very strong, perfect," sounds the reply. It proved to be the trend of 24 minutes of self-assurance.

During the Intermarché-Wanty team presentation, Bini was even more the go-to guy than in past seasons. After several years in the spotlight, the Africans can handle it well, although, after barely three days back on European soil, it always takes some getting used to. "So far, so good. I had a nice winter at home, but I also went to Spain in December in between for the training camp. And now I'm back again. Everything is going very well so far."

He will start his season in Mallorca in less than two weeks. "This year, I chose a different preparation, so I hope to start better than the last season. Not everything has become different, but we choose Milan-Sanremo as the peak. I felt that last year I missed some races beforehand, so that's why we are also starting in Mallorca now, to get a better feeling. Tirreno-Adriatico is also a good final indication."

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Girmay pinpoints Milan-Sanremo as main goal

Milan-Sanremo is quite evidently the big race playing in Girmay's mind. "Last year, it was a tough race there. I rode my best wattages on the Poggio and never rode up there faster, but the others proved better again," Girmay observed. "UAE is there, and they make the race tougher, but Milan-Sanremo is the Monument that should suit me best. That's why I keep aiming for a better result."

"It's such a complicated race. I hate the Poggio because I've been dropped three times already with just a few hundred meters to go," Girmay analyzes. "I keep hoping I can perform better there. Thanks to my stage win in the Tour, at the highest level, I have the confidence that I can do it. And so do my teammates and the staff. We keep learning and want to improve, and so far, every season has resulted in something great."

So, how should he approach that? "I can't get any more lightweight. I'm already pretty light for a sprinter, so it's still in the details—preparation, training, etc. Sanremo is the hardest race to win. It's 300 kilometers, and you have to economize with every pedal push. I've learned to do that better in the meantime, and that's why I want to be the best version of myself there now, but also in the Flemish races, I want to be there."

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biniam girmay intermarche wanty

Girmay ambitious for Flemish classics and Tour

In this area, after the Gent-Wevelgem victory in 2022, things have not gone smoothly so far. In both 2023 and 2024, Girmay experienced setbacks with crashes and suffered from bad weather conditions. "I hate the rain, but I have to adapt. Nobody likes it except a few guys. But you have to get ready for it. When I see it's raining, I don't like it. But by now, I'm used to it. The first time I came to Flanders, it was bad. Then, I only kicked half my wattage. But it didn't bother me last year, so I have no more excuses."

"I love the cobbles, and the Oude Kwaremont is my favorite slope, although that is also tough,' the Intermarché-Wanty leader indicated. By the way, Girmay will stay in Europe until early April. 'I have found a better balance between being at home and riding the appropriate races. When that all comes together, it suits me better. The commute isn't too bad because the flight is only six hours and there's no time difference. And I'm at altitude with my family, and there's always good weather."

So he will settle down again after the classics, with an eye on the Tour de France. In Lille, he will start with ambition. "As a sprinter, you don't have many chances to take the yellow jersey, but the second jersey normally suits me better than I do. The green jersey? You take fifty points if you win a stage, which is the goal. Then you automatically compete," he explains his goals for the Tour.

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biniam girmay

Girmay knows the World Championship course in Rwanda does not suit him

If you say the cycling year 2025 and Africa, you logically come up with the World Championships in Rwanda. "It is still far away because first, there are the classics and the Tour. Only after that can I think about the World Championship, but it's not just about me. It's about cycling in Africa. It's a huge event on African soil; everyone is very eager to see it. That I'm the big African star? No, that's Louis Meintjes. That's true, ha' It will be a great honor to be there and show my national jersey."

Girmay is serious, as he seems somewhat disappointed that the Kigali course does not suit him. "If I tell you at the elevation count, that says enough. 5500, I think? My first reaction? Gruppetto. I have raced on the Wall of Kigali several times, but I also know myself. Still, I don't know what you expect from me. If I can compete there, I can also compete in the queen stage of a grand tour. That question is not necessary. I can't do anything there."

Do the fans in his home country realize that, too? "The people in Eritrea know the sport well, and they know what I can and cannot do. They don't expect anything from me there."

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